In the current slack business environment, industry is redoubling its efforts to improve the efficiency of manufacturing processes and increase automation so as to remain competitive. Although investment levels are currently low, expectations with regard to automation technology are rising steadily. Manufacturers of automation equipment are thus under growing pressure to develop low-cost and yet flexible solutions, and guarantee short delivery times. The assembly modules and handling units required thus have to meet very rigorous requirements in terms of reliability, cycle times, flexibility and availability.
The Feintool Group's Automation division is one of the leading providers in both of these fields. With its 500 or so employees at production sites in Switzerland and Germany, plus distribution companies around the world, it is set to post sales of over 110 million Swiss francs this year. Feintool customers benefit from the synergies generated by close cooperation with the "upstream" Fineblanking Equipment and Plastic/Metal Components operations as well as with the global Feintool platform.
Automation systems with the famous "clic"
At Motek 2002 in Sinsheim, the Automation Systems division will be represented by three companies: IMA Automation GmbH of Amberg, Feintool Automation AG of Aarberg and Feintool Automation Berlin GmbH. The stand will present Feintool's expertise with a special focus on the automotive, electronics, consumer goods, medical technology and telecommunications sectors.
Rotary indexing systems for automatic assembly of small or ultra-small parts at high cycle rates (120/min.) are used for a very wide range of applications. Thanks to the clictec principle (rapid exchange of handling units), these ideally meet market requirements for economical high-precision assembly on the basis of existing systems. Freely interchangeable units mean that the linear transfer systems for medium and large-sized components can be adapted flexibly for use in different production lines (up to 40 cycles per minute). This high degree of standardization also means that Feintool can meet the short delivery times that customers need.
Handling modules, assembly technology and feed systems from a single source
The two Swiss production sites Afag AG (Huttwil) and Baltec AG (Pfäffikon) as well as the Feed Technology centre at Amberg in Germany are all represented at Motek on the United Components stand.
With its Movimex brand, Afag is presenting a new series of high-performance electrical handling modules. The electrical components – gantry axle, linear module, vertical module and rotary module – are easy to combine both with each other and with components from the pneumatics programme. The Movimex modules are complemented by control programmes for a variety of applications. Although compact, the electrical modules have a highly dynamic and user-friendly design, offering outstanding flexibility and reliability. Extremely short and complex work cycles can be implemented in a short time. Movimex offers equipment manufacturers new concepts and approaches, enabling them to meet future market requirements at low cost.
Baltec is presenting a user-friendly servo press for flexible, high-precision pressing, joining and forming, plus the CNC-coordinate riveting machine with process control incorporating freely selectable quality management options.
Feed Technology is displaying its spiral and linear feeders with their patented oscillatory force compensation feature, plus reproducible feed solutions based on plastic feeder bowl technology (CAD/CAM-built and constructed) and high-quality stainless steel feed bowls.